Fierce winds cause cancellations, power outages across Maritimes

A number of weather warnings are in place across all three Maritime provinces.

New Brunswick

In central and northern New Brunswick, a winter snow warning is calling for up to 10 cm, with snowfall expected to continue until Monday afternoon over central areas, and Monday night over northeastern areas.

Winds in that area will range from 60 to 80 km/h, except up to 110 km/h along exposed areas of the Bay of Chaleur coast, including the Acadian Peninsula.

Environment Canada says visibility may be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy and blowing snow.

Nova Scotia

A wind warning is in effect for most of Nova Scotia, calling for up to 90 km/h winds. High winds are expected to continue through to Tuesday for most areas.

Cape Breton’s Inverness County – Mabou and north is under a winter storm warning. The warning is calling for 20 to 35 cm of snow, with higher amounts possible over the Highlands.

A southwesterly wind of 90 km/h is also expected in that area of the island later in the day Monday, shifting to a westerly 80 km/h wind on Tuesday.

Prince Edward Island

All of Prince Edward Island is under a wind warning, calling for a southwesterly wind near 100 km/h.

Environment Canada says the wind is expected to develop Monday morning and continue through to Tuesday morning.

“Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage. High winds may result in power outages and fallen tree branches,” reads the warning.

Outages

Thousands of Maritimers were without power Monday morning after high winds led to outages across all three Maritime provinces.

As of 2 p.m., Nova Scotia Power was reporting 56 active outages affecting 864 customers. Restoration times range from noon until early Tuesday morning.

NB Power was reporting six outages affecting 1,447 customers as of 2 p.m. The bulk of those outages are in the Richibucto area.

Maritime Electric was reporting 615 customers without power throughout P.E.I. as of 2 p.m.

Travel

The Halifax Regional Municipality is enforcing its overnight winter parking ban, which will be in effect between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. Tuesday in both Zone 1 – Central and Zone 2 – Non-Central.

The City of Saint John, N.B., is also enforcing its overnight parking ban for the south-central peninsula.

The city says the ban will take effect at 11 p.m. Monday and end at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

“This means there is no on-street parking allowed anywhere in the area. This will allow for safe and efficient snow plowing operations,” reads a social media post from the city.

“Vehicles remaining on-street when a parking ban has been declared will be ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s risk and expense.”

Marine Atlantic has cancelled crossings between North Sydney, N.S., and Port aux Basques, N.L. on Monday.

Bay Ferries says the Fundy Rose ferry that travels between Saint John, N.B., and Digby, N.S., is cancelled Monday due to high winds. The company says it is monitoring conditions for Tuesday’s sailings.

The Englishtown ferry and Tancook Island ferry in Nova Scotia have both been suspended due to the weather.

The Confederation Bridge website says high winds on Monday may result in restrictions of traffic.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page